Mock Drafts

[ERA]

Around the league: Draft mysteries lie deep in heart of Texans

By Jim Jenkins -- SacBee.com Staff Writer

Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, January 15, 2006

 

 

If, as speculated, Texas quarterback Vince Young remains in the state and becomes the first pick of the NFL draft by the Houston Texans, it could set off an interesting chain of events.

 

New Orleans drafts second and was projected to take a quarterback. Would that change if USC running back Reggie Bush, the presumed No. 1 choice, is available? The current betting is it won't, that the Saints still are leaning toward quarterback Matt Leinart, Bush's teammate with the Trojans.

 

Nevertheless, if Bush is available, the Saints' trade options increase with so many teams beneath them eager to get the Heisman Trophy winner.

 

Until pressure built for the Texans to choose Young, Tennessee, drafting third, was thought to be the destination of the celebrated Longhorn. But the Titans' need for a potential franchise quarterback in this draft seems less urgent than the Saints'.

 

Tennessee might be able to count on a few more serviceable years from starter Steve McNair. And, of course, behind McNair is one of the league's better backups in Billy Volek.

 

If the Titans are willing to stand pat at quarterback and can't get Young, they, too, certainly could use an exceptional college running back to fill a big void on a rebuilding team, and Bush surely represents help.

 

Upsetting this picture would be the Titans becoming part of a trading frenzy at the top of the draft.

 

The New York Jets and Green Bay, drafting fourth and fifth, respectively, figure to be in the hunt for quarterbacks and/or running backs as well. One spot or two later in the draft order will be the Raiders, always aggressive in the offseason. Oakland picks sixth or seventh, pending a coin flip with the 49ers.

[ERA]

With Young in draft, Houston has a problem

By DAVE GOLDBERG

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

Favorite son or a great running back? GM mum

 

When Houston lost to San Francisco in its final regular-season game to "earn" the No. 1 draft pick, the assumption was the Texans would take Reggie Bush, the once-in-a-generation running back.

 

It's not that simple now that Vince Young has declared for the draft following a dazzling performance that brought Texas the national championship. Young is from Houston, Houston is in Texas and a local hero could do wonders for the fans of a team that went 2-14.

 

Throw in Matt Leinart, Bush's teammate at Southern California, and the Texans are in a bit of a quandary: a do-it all running back and two quarterbacks, one a favorite son.

 

Don't ask Charley Casserly, Houston's general manager, to commit this early.

 

Among other things, he still has to find a coach, with the front-runner Gary Kubiak, the Denver offensive coordinator. Kubiak was a quarterback - John Elway's longtime backup for the Broncos - so that might become a factor.

 

Casserly said little after Bush declared Thursday he was leaving USC.

 

"All we can say is what has happened here with Reggie Bush and Vince Young declaring, with the addition of Matt Leinart among other players, is that you have a real strong top of the draft," Casserly said. "It means we're going to get a real good player if we keep the pick, and if we trade the pick, we've got certainly a very valuable commodity to trade."

 

To be fair, no GM in his position would say anything else at this point.

 

A few things to remember:

 

1. There are rarely sure things. Remember that in 1998, there were teams that thought Ryan Leaf was a better prospect than Peyton Manning. And that in 1989, Dallas' choice of Troy Aikman at No. 1 was criticized by many who thought the Cowboys should have chosen Tony Mandarich.

 

2. Houston has a young quarterback in David Carr, who will be 27 in July. He has been sacked more than 200 times in four seasons and has regressed. But indications are that the Texans will pay the $8 million bonus due in March - a recognition that the problems were on the offensive line and a hint that they will select Bush or trade down for additional picks.

 

3. For all his college heroics, Young is still a question to NFL scouts because of an odd throwing motion and some uncertain decision-making during his college career. Still, he appears to be a bigger Michael Vick, who can learn the NFL passing game and whose running ability will create numerous problems for opponents.

 

After Houston come New Orleans, Tennessee and the New York Jets.

 

Consider their needs (a lot) and throw in a few other prospects, including LenDale White, the power half of the running back tandem at USC - he declared for the draft the day before Bush did and probably will go in the top 10.

 

The Saints and Titans need quarterbacks - Tennessee's Steve McNair wants to come back but has to renegotiate what otherwise would be a salary cap-breaking deal. Sitting and learning from an accomplished veteran would be the perfect situation for a Leinart or Young.

 

The Jets also would like a QB because Chad Pennington has undergone surgery on his throwing shoulder twice in the last year. But they may want experience rather than youth, and they need both offensive linemen and a running back to succeed Curtis Martin.

 

So...

 

Quick mock draft: Bush to Houston; Leinart to New Orleans; Young to Tennessee; and D'Brickashaw Ferguson, offensive tackle from Virginia to the Jets (unless Houston trades down to get him). Ferguson is from Freeport, N.Y., a short drive from the Jets' training site.

 

Too easy, so it won't happen that way, especially if Houston owner Bob McNair succumbs to the clamor of the fans.

 

Almost every team in the NFL thinks Bush will be the best player available. He is Gale Sayers, Barry Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson - an all purpose back with speed, elusiveness, even deceptive power.

 

Next comes Leinart, the classic NFL drop-back quarterback. He has some mobility, a lot of high-level, pressure experience and is viewed by scouts as a long-term starter although perhaps not a superstar.

 

Some history, recent and ancient:

 

-In 2001, San Diego had the first choice and traded down, giving Atlanta the rights to Vick and choosing Tomlinson fifth overall. The Chargers also got Drew Brees with the first pick of the second round. So who did better? Maybe New England, which took Richard Seymour one pick after the Chargers got Tomlinson.

 

-In 1993, Drew Bledsoe went No. 1 to the Patriots. Three other draftees turned out to long-term stars: Willie Roaf, No. 8 to New Orleans; Jerome Bettis, No. 10 to the Rams; and Michael Strahan, No. 40 to the Giants.

 

Typical of this era, Strahan is the only one of that group still with the team that drafted him. If the defensive-minded Bill Parcells, then the Pats' coach, knew how he would turn out would he have taken him No. 1 or would he have stuck with Bledsoe, who was the QB when New England got to the Super Bowl four seasons later?

 

One pick after Bledsoe, the Seahawks took Rick Mirer, another quarterback who failed. So did Leaf and three QBs taken in the top 12 in 1999 - Tim Couch (No. 1), Akili Smith (No. 3) and Cade McNown (No. 12).

 

In 2000, New England took Tom Brady with the 199th pick.

 

That's the ultimate demonstration of why there are no sure things.

[bballer13]

I saw where Mel Kiper had Jay Cutler from Vanderbilt going to the Detroit Lions, anyone have info on how possible that is???

[gotmilk?]

As of now I would say that is very possible!!!

[Guest dare_2_dream]

I saw where Mel Kiper had Jay Cutler from Vanderbilt going to the Detroit Lions, anyone have info on how possible that is???

 

we all know they will draft another WR. 3 years running now, cant mess up tradition.

[ERA]

Chris Simms of Tampa Bay was asked by Dan Patrick "Who would you pick number one for QB? Simms said he would take Jake Cutler!! Dan scoffed at his answer and wondered how he could suggest him. Chris stated the obvious. Brains...Vanderbilt, athleticism like Faver.......and the arm of a NFL QB.

[gotmilk?]

Chris Simms of Tampa Bay was asked by Dan Patrick "Who would you pick number one for QB? Simms said he would take Jake Cutler!! Dan scoffed at his answer and wondered how he could suggest him. Chris stated the obvious. Brains...Vanderbilt, athleticism like Faver.......and the arm of a NFL QB.

Use you Gotmilk? Almanac Its Favre!!!

[muffin]

[culleokarep]

Use you Gotmilk? Almanac Its Favre!!!

 

and hes also Jay...not jake ....and chris simms is a smart man...all my buccaneers are

[ERA]

Latest NFL Buzz from the Senior Bowl

 

Scouts in attendance have concerns about quarterback Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt. While he physically has the makings of an NFL passer, his mental make-up is a little different. Several people we spoke with say Cutler can be surly at times. Teams aren't willing to invest a fortune in that type of person as the future leader of their franchise.

[fromthetop2]

Also heard Mel Kiper this morning talk about the QB's at the Senior Bowl, and one of the knocks against Cutler this week has been accuracy. Brody Croyle is also moving up, but considering Dick Nolan's offense (49ers) is not too dissimilar to what Shula ran, he seems to have settled in quickly and is impressive. He's got a big gun, but his fragility and injury history would make me think twice. Kiper thinks he'll go quickly in the second round.

[Phoenix]

and hes also Jay...not jake ....and chris simms is a smart man...all my buccaneers are

 

Thats right all the Bucs are smart men. I am glad to see another Bucs fan.

 

I think that Jay Cutler will go in the top ten.